New drug introduced to check cholesterol

He said that bad cholesterol increased concentration causes deposition of lipids in the blood vessels in various places throughout the body. This decreases the lumen of the blood vessel which in the event of a thrombosis, leads to severe or complete occlusion of the vessel.

Consequently, the tissue distal to the site of obstruction due to lack of oxygen, is unable to survive. This is particularly dangerous if it occurs in the heart or the brain causing heart attack or stroke. He recalled that in the 1990’s ‘wonder drugs’ called Statins and considered as ‘new spirins’ were discovered for the lowering of bad cholesterol LDL and elevating the good protective cholesterol HDL and said it caused significant reduction in death and disability from health attacks and stroke.

Professor Jilani said that the primary target of cholesterol management was the LDL cholesterol. The lower the LDL, the lower the risk of heart attacks and strokes.